1. Take a Bath or Shower. One of the worst things you could do when going out on a date (especially if it is your first date) is to turn up unshaven, looking dirty, and smelling. Women are the cleaner of the species and will partly judge you on how hygienic you are. After all, you would be appalled if she turned up for the date looking like a mutt dog with tangled fur that hadn’t bathed for days. It doesn’t cost anything to take a bath and to make an effort to look and smell nice. Remember, bad breath and body odor are an instant turn off and she will assume that this is how you are all the time even if you are just having a bad day. As a result, she won’t be able to see beyond your appearance.
2. Arrive on Time. Whatever you do, don’t turn up late. Turning up late will send out all the wrong impression. At first, she may think she’s been stood up, but after arriving late, her opinion will change to you being unreliable or not caring enough about her to be on time. If you are picking her up from her home, then it is advisable to turn up five minutes before you are due. Any earlier and you might catch her adjusting her makeup or still getting ready. Five minutes early is the earliest you should arrive. But never be late.
3. Give Her a Thoughtful Gift. A woman feels special when the man she is with gives her a thoughtful gift. What is a thoughtful gift? Well, you obviously know some things about a woman before a first date that came from phone conversations, emails, etc. Take what you know and buy her an appropriate date gift. For example, let’s say that the woman really likes golf. There are companies that make chocolate golf sets—a miniature chocolate club with a chocolate tee and chocolate golf ball. This would make a great first date gift. For a generic thoughtful gift, buy a chocolate rose. That’s always appropriate without being overboard.
4. Be a Gentleman. Hold the door open for her, let her walk through the doors first, pull her chair, and be polite to her along with the people around you. Women like to feel special and by treating her like a lady, she will think you are fantastic.
5. Compliment Her. The first thing to say to her is you look beautiful before you even ask how she is. Keep up the compliments throughout your date, but do not go overboard (three or four for the night should be more than enough). A woman loves to be complimented, to feel beautiful, and to think that you are attracted to her. The more sincere and observant your compliment, the bigger impact it will have. But remember again not to go overboard. More than four compliments may make you appear fake and not real.
6. Listen to Her and Ask Questions. Nobody wants to spend the whole night listening to someone talk about themselves. But you do have to get to know each other. Ask her questions, but more importantly listen to what she has to say. A woman is attracted to a man who is genuinely interested in hearing what she has to say. Spend a lot more time asking her questions and letting her talk than talking yourself.
7. Prepare for the Conversation. The last thing you want is to be sitting at a meal with nothing to talk about. Think about your date and what you would like to know about her. You may think that it is easy to talk and that you will not run out of questions to ask or that you will automatically have the answers but until you are in the situation, you have no idea what it will be like. Avoid talking about past relationships or other women while on the date. Keep your focus, attention, and conversation fully on her.
